July 24, 2019

Finances and Friends #

Pro 6:1-5

Intro.

Two very problematic areas for people are covered in the Bible here. Woman in chapter 5, and friends in chapter 6. Nothing has ruined a friendship faster than finances.

I. Snare of Suretyship (1-5) #

A. Defined #

In Bible times it would mean that you would be responsible for someone or something.

In the famine, when Israel sent his sons to Egypt for food, Judah says of Benjamin his brother:

1. “I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:” (Genesis 43:9)

   He was guaranteeing Benjamin with his life. At the end of Gen 44

2. “For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.” (Genesis 44:32–33)

   Judah was willing to take the punishment for Benjamin!

   Co-signing a loan, guaranteeing a payment, or something else.

B. Warnings #

1. “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.” (Proverbs 11:15)

   a) It is one thing to be the guarantor for your brother to your father… it is another thing to be surety for a stranger!

2. “A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.” (Proverbs 17:18)

   a) It is foolish to be a surety for someone, or something.

3. “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.” (Proverbs 22:26)

   a) Being a surety for someone is foolish! There is a severe warning in the Bible to stay away from it!

   b) If you are ever confronted with the question, let them know you value their friendship too much to allow something like this become a problem.

C. Snare (2) #

Snare - anything by which one is entangled and brought into trouble, a trap

D. People - Friend, Family, Acquaintance, co-worker (1) #

a) It is often friends that will ask you to co-sign for them

b) Don’t ask your friends to co-sign for you!

c) Don’t co-sign for your friends!

(1) There is a reason they are asking, their credit is bad!

(2) Perhaps it was health problem, or lost a job, gave them bad
    credit... Don't co-sign!

d) Don’t cosign for church family!

E. Promise - “stricken thy hand” v1, “words of thy mouth” v2 #

a) Christians should be known for their honesty, and trustworthiness - Paying debt is important!

F. Problem - (2) #

a) trapped almost 40% of cosigned loans revert to the cosigner.

a) “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

b) Creditor comes looking for you!

c) If you have enough that you can secure someones loan without hurting yourself, Be cautious!

(1) Be generous - if you can help someone, help them, if you cannot
    then don't worry about it.

G. Protect - get out! (3-5) #

a) Plead, get out before it is too late!

b) An animal caught in a trap will go through extreme pain to free itself.

II. Sluggards (6-11) #

A. Considering the Worker! (Ant) (6-8) #

No ruler (government)

Ants are incredibly industrious creatures!

They work together.

Work to provide food!

Prior proper preparation prevents poor performance!

Work through in spite of difficult circumstances

Consequences… provision!

B. Consider the Lazy (9-11) #

This is a strong rebuke!

DON’T BE LAZY!

It is easy to lay around and accomplish nothing, but it is a complete waste!

a) “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16)

Consequence

Poverty - travel is costly, and time consuming!

Traveling jobs didn't exist in Bible times. One had to stay home and
work the fields, that was the job!

Armed man, a thief, looking to steal!

III. Sinful Sower (12-15) #

A. Froward Mouth (12) #

Froward - perverse, not willing to yield or comply

Be careful about who you hang around!

Don’t listen to the dirty jokes, bad language, and filth of this world!

1. “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.” (Proverbs 4:24)

B. Froward Direction (13) #

Winketh with his eyes

Speaketh with his feet

Teacheth with is finders

He couldn’t tell you his plan, you would see it was wicked.

He will intrigue you by playing coy! Let me show you!

C. Froward Heart (14) #

Deviseth mischief continually

Constantly up to no good!

Soweth discord!

Not happy unless he is dividing people!

D. Sudden end! (15) #

Calamity & Brokenness!